Apple endorses Wi-Fi Direct for networking without hotspots

Apple and a consortium of other technology companies in the Wi-Fi Alliance have agreed to a new peer-to-peer wireless standard that aims to make it easier for electronics to communicate.

Wi-Fi Direct is expected to be approved for new products by mid-2010, and would allow devices like the iPhone to communicate with one another, or with other forms of hardware, to do tasks like print or share files.

"Wi-Fi Direct represents a leap forward for our industry," said Wi-Fi Alliance executive director Edgar Figueroa. "Wi-Fi users worldwide will benefit from a single-technology solution to transfer content and share applications quickly and easily among devices, even when a Wi-Fi access point isn't available. The impact is that Wi-Fi will become even more pervasive and useful for consumers and across the enterprise."

Previously code-named "Wi-Fi peer-to-peer," the new specification can be applied to any Wi-Fi device, meaning newly certified Wi-Fi Direct devices will have legacy support from previously existing devices. The new standard supports connections between two or multiple devices.

As it offers many of the same capabilities of the current Bluetooth standard, Wi-Fi Direct will likely compete with the existing wireless technology when devices begin to hit the market next year. Apple has embraced Bluetooth in many of its devices, and is likely to release a new wireless mouse and keyboard utilizing the standard in the near future.

Apple is a sponsor member of the Wi-Fi Alliance, joined by top-tier technology companies like Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Sony. The non-profit industry association is responsible for the Wi-Fi trademark and technology. Devices that meet the alliance's specifications can use the Wi-Fi Certified logo on their products.

"With Wi-Fi technology already shipping in millions of consumer electronics devices and handsets every year, this is a terrific innovation for the industry," said Victoria Fodale, senior analyst and market intelligence manager at In-Stat. "Empowering devices to move content and share applications without having to join a network brings even more convenience and utility to Wi-Fi-enabled devices."

The new Wi-Fi Direct standard is intended for both consumer electronics and enterprise applications. It will include WPA2 security, and management features for enterprise environments. The new technology will use roughly the same power, provide the same data rates, and offer the same range as current Wi-Fi products.

I am kinda feeling sorry for you. It seems that nothing from Apple works for you.

Yet, by all accounts as determined by consumer survey reports, the successes of virtually all of Apples softwares, OS's and hardware, the Apple Store, iTunes and the iPhone, although there have been some glitches, doesn't appear to be the norm.

Yet, you experience otherwise. But then, we know that you are not the norm.

More importantly, you always seem to be at the head of the pack. A rabid infested pack at that.

Perhaps it is best you travel elsewhere. Let us know. We may just like to contribute to your new surroundings. At least, it is something that we can do for our fellow man.

This is good news! I'm sitting here with my iMac with one pwr cable out the back and one usb cable to my iPhone. A wireless mighty mouse and wireless Apple keyboard.

My all-in-one Brother printer has a very small compact footprint and is wifi (no cables).

I will be getting the new wifi SD card for my camera so that will get rid of my USB cable for it. Next will be Time Capsule which will get rid of a pwr brick, a firewire cable and of course, the ext. HD itself, by combining the router and ext. HD.

Today, I'm buying the SL/iLife/iWork SW pack and a new 3Gs iPhone, the before mentioned wifi SD card and a pair of BT wireless headphones for running and working out (no wires on the headphones).

Gave of all my iPods (stands and usb cables) away now that the 3Gs has the Nike + system included.

Soon the iPhone will be able to update via wifi.

PS. Also have Parallels for the one PC App I have to run (Real Estate MLS) so I don't have to have a Windows PC with all it's wires and cables! Did I mention I hate cables, pwr bricks and wires.

PSS. I have AppleTV, no pwr brick, one HDMI cable and no DVD player next to my TV

I am kinda feeling sorry for you. It seems that nothing from Apple works for you.

Yet, by all accounts as determined by consumer survey reports, the successes of virtually all of Apples softwares, OS's and hardware, the Apple Store, iTunes and the iPhone, although there have been some glitches, doesn't appear to be the norm.

Yet, you experience otherwise. But then, we know that you are not the norm.

More importantly, you always seem to be at the head of the pack. A rabid infested pack at that.

Perhaps it is best you travel elsewhere. Let us know. We may just like to contribute to your new surroundings. At least, it is something that we can do for our fellow man.

Spare me the "I Feel sorry for you" sentimentality. You mean to tell me that you haven't heard from anyone else here that there is a WiFi problem with the iPhone's 3.1 update? Are you blind or simply ignore posts here that have any problems with anything Apple?
My iPhone works splendidly for me- give or take a few things that is hasn't yet delivered.
But if something doesn't work- I certainly will bring it up rather than be comatosed in fanboy delusion as you and others certainly have been.

This is good news! I'm sitting here with my iMac with one pwr cable out the back and one usb cable to my iPhone. A wireless mighty mouse and wireless Apple keyboard.

My all-in-one Brother printer has a very small compact footprint and is wifi (no cables).

I will be getting the new wifi SD card for my camera so that will get rid of my USB cable for it. Next will be Time Capsule which will get rid of a pwr brick, a firewire cable and of course, the ext. HD itself, by combining the router and ext. HD.

Today, I'm buying the SL/iLife/iWork SW pack and a new 3Gs iPhone, the before mentioned wifi SD card and a pair of BT wireless headphones for running and working out (no wires on the headphones).

Gave of all my iPods (stands and usb cables) away now that the 3Gs has the Nike + system included.

Soon the iPhone will be able to update via wifi.

PS. Also have Parallels for the one PC App I have to run (Real Estate MLS) so I don't have to have a Windows PC with all it's wires and cables! Did I mention I hate cables, pwr bricks and wires.

PSS. I have AppleTV, no pwr brick, one HDMI cable and no DVD player next to my TV

Life is good!

I'm glad it all works for you but isn't it rather early to be drinking Appletinis?

Spare me the "I Feel sorry for you" sentimentality. You mean to tell me that you haven't heard from anyone else here that there is a WiFi problem with the iPhone's 3.1 update? Are you blind or simply ignore posts here that have any problems with anything Apple?
My iPhone works splendidly for me- give or take a few things that is hasn't yet delivered.
But if something doesn't work- I certainly will bring it up rather than be comatosed in fanboy delusion as you and others certainly have been.

Now, now boys...be nice or you both will be moved to the opposite ends of the sandbox!